In order to advancing the High-Speed 2 (HS2) project, German technology group Vossloh has received a major order from construction contractor PORR.
As the developer and future operator of the slab track on the line between London and Birmingham, HS2 Limited will receive rail fastening systems by Vossloh.
With the aim of ensuring stability, safety, and durability under high-speed conditions, the rail fastening systems secure rails to the track bed.
Running from 2025 to 2027, this order’s value is over €30m.
According to Vossloh CEO Oliver Schuster: “With our technically high-quality system solution, we ensure that the high requirements for safety, reliability and durability are met on the demanding high-speed line. We are delighted that the customer is relying on our many years of expertise and that we are making an important contribution to the expansion of sustainable transport infrastructure in the UK.”
As one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects, HS2 is due to be the UK’s second high-speed line, after High Speed 1 (HS1), the link between London and the Channel Tunnel.
Considering that the new line can reach speeds up to 360 km/h, the space on the mainline for more freight and local services will be free up, whereas travel time between London and Birmingham will be decreased from 82 to 45 minutes.
The scheduled date for completion of HS2 line is 2033 and this project is going to help modernise British transport infrastructure and provide significant benefits to the economy and society.
Linking London and Birmingham will be up to the new HS2 railway in Phase 1, while Phase 2 was designed to extend from Birmingham to Manchester in the West and Leeds in the East and part of Phase 2a connects Birmingham to Crewe.
Including the cancellation of the Phase 2 extension from the West Midlands to Manchester and a smaller HS2 station at London Euston, the UK government announced major changes to the HS2 program in October 2023.